The Gift of Giving #BGCA

This has been one of the first years where our family was really been able to give back. It feels so good to be able to give back, even if it’s just a little here and there. More importantly though, I want my girls to really know that feeling too.

We make a conscious effort to talk to them about how and when we give back, and as they get older I hope they will want to give back to others just as much.

How do you teach your children about giving?

Here are just a few ideas that you can help you encourage your family to give back to others.

1. Talk about giving. Tell your kids which causes you’re supporting this year and why. Better yet, make the choice together. Or give each child a portion of what you plan to donate this year and allow him or her to choose the charity.

2. Read books about giving. Try The Mitten Tree by Candace Christiansen, I Can Make a Difference by Julie and Amanda Sexson or a selection from Learning to Give’s Annotated Bibliography of Children’s Literature.

3. Volunteer together. Whether serving a meal at a soup kitchen or lending a hand at an animal shelter, volunteering helps kids learn compassion – and it’s a great way for families to spend time together. Check with your child’s school, your religious institution, a local Boys & Girls Club or The Volunteer Family for project ideas.

4. Encourage routine volunteering. Contributing regularly to an organization they choose can be meaningful, showing kids that they have the power to make a difference. This is especially true for teens. Support them by providing transportation or extra allowance for expenses, if needed.

5. Do something fun, like cooking or an art project. Even very young children can make cards for senior center residents or help you bake a tasty treat for a neighbor. These are perfect ways to have fun while thinking about others.

The Boys & Girls Club of America marks its second annual Give the Gift of a Great Future Holiday Campaign – to encourage families to give during the holiday season.

They have a couple of fun ways for you and your family to participate. You can play the free Giving Game until December 31st. Playing equals giving, because every time a player wins, a donation will be made to a Boys & Girls Club.

About Hanan Webster

In 2010, Hanan went from talking about her parenting ups & downs on private forums to discussing them with literally everyone on the internet with her blog Eat.Craft.Parent - since then, she’s had the opportunity to talk about parenting, cooking, photography, marriage, crafts, faith, and so much more. She also shares her opinions on everyday products from food to baby gear, and everything in between. With four little girls all under seven, there is never a dull moment in their home. When she’s not blogging she’s chatting about parenting and life in general on Facebook and Twitter, or wasting way too much time on Pinterest.

I love the idea about reading the books. We’ve been focused on giving a lot lately. Now my 3 yr old says “I wish I was poor” all the time because he’s sad that everyone else is getting gifts and not him. He doesn’t quite understand that Christmas is a week away and he won’t be left wanting for anything.

When my son was growing up, I was a divorced mother of three, with an absent dad. My son got a lot of positive male bonding from his time spent at the Boys Club. I try to give back to them whenever I can.

Also, I have been a volunteer at something or other for most of my adult life. My children learned from watching me how rewarding volunteering can be. As a girl scout leader for many years, I included volunteer projects often for my troop. My girls, and my son as well, participated in community service project from a very young age. This has stuck with them into their adulthood, and I am happy to say that they are now teaching their own children to volunteer in their own communities.